Calgary police’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ back on!

The Calgary Police Service has awarded 27 students from nine schools with a chance to shop with cops at Marlborough Mall Wednesday.

This is the 16th time CPS has held the “Shop with a Cop” event with the northeast shopping centre and the first time back since COVID restrictions were lifted.

Students are selected for their volunteer work, academic excellence and sporting achievements, with three being selected from each school.

Each student received a $100 gift card, lunch, and a swag bag.

Today we partnered with @marlboroughmall for the 16th year to bring a little holiday cheer to #yyc youth.

27 students from 9 schools were chosen by their teachers for their academic achievements, volunteer efforts, & athletic accomplishments. pic.twitter.com/7X4Idkhbxu

— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) December 8, 2022

Dini Muhidini, one of the students that were selected by police, says he “didn’t really expect it” when his guidance counsellor handed him the letter.

“I was pretty surprised because I didn’t expect me out of all the kids out of my school to go. I expected someone else to go, but not really for me,” Muhidini said.

“She didn’t really give much detail at first. But then I realized what a big opportunity I had after I opened the letter and read it.”

Muhidini says it was a great opportunity to hang out with the officers, as he says it’s an opportunity to see them as more than the police.

“I feel like it’s pretty important because nowadays, with my generation, they see cops as a bad figure. But realistically, they’re just trying to help us in everyday lives,” Muhidini said.

“So many negative things have happened to me with officers. I feel like he just made them more positive.”

A student, left, poses with Santa Claus and a Calgary police officer inside Marlborough Mal in Calgary on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)

Constable Ray Hostland, a community resource officer, says this was a great time to bond with students, even though it’s “a little awkward” at first.

“Most kids are kind of standoffish with us,” Hostland said. “You drive by a school [and] they don’t want much to do with you. But here, honestly, it kind of forces them to have a conversation with us.”

He says the officers at schools usually don’t get an opportunity to engage with people in this capacity, and it offers an opportunity to connect with the kids.

“Most of these guys are here today are from the street. So and I think they really enjoy it,” Hostland said.

“They don’t get the chance to do this. So I think they love it. It’s a day off the street as well. And they got to come and hang out and go shopping. And so yeah, I think they really enjoy it.”

The gift cards were priced at $100. Muhidini says he was “pretty picky” with how to spend the prize money.

“I just can’t really decide on this one,” Muhidini said, adding, “it’s actually pretty pleasant to go with a police officer.”

-With files from Nick Blakeney